AAG Golf Advocacy Update — Summer 2025
Strengthening Our Voice, Protecting Our Future
Advocacy remains a cornerstone of the Arizona Alliance for Golf’s (AAG) mission and in 2025 our progress is tangible.
Through focused, collective action we’ve built a unified voice, culminating in the opening of the Arizona Golf House this summer. This new outreach facility serves as a dynamic hub of collaborative activity for the nonprofits delivering services throughout the state and as a physical symbol of our industry’s unification and impact. As we continue to advocate for water access and other critical issues, this visible representation of golf’s societal, community, and wellness contributions will be essential in reshaping how the game is perceived and positioned in Arizona.
That work is increasingly urgent: growing pressure on Arizona’s water resources and increasingly sophisticated critiques that portray golf as a disproportionate water user underscore the need for continued, coordinated advocacy.
Now more than ever, the golf industry must speak with one voice. We need every sector and every golf enthusiast at the table to defend and protect access to the water that sustains our industry.
Below is a snapshot of AAG’s 2025 advocacy efforts to date, highlighting the individuals and organizations leaning in and stepping up. We invite you to join us—your voice and participation is vital.
Water Update
In recent years Arizona already has lost approximately 20% of its Colorado River allocation, and the state’s water challenges are only intensifying. With ongoing aridification and over-allocation placing unprecedented strain on the system, we face a precariously uncertain future as the junior user on the system.
As the 2026 deadline approaches for rebalancing water allocations among the Upper and Lower Basin states, the AAG is actively educating policymakers to shape the conversation about golf’s role in a sustainable water future. Our efforts include regular forums that connect industry leaders with lawmakers and regulators. These conversations focus on practical innovation, responsible stewardship, and golf’s economic and environmental value to Arizona.
Most recently, AAG Water Committee members Rob Collins and Brian Whitlark, guided by Gary Brawley, participated in a panel discussion focused on water availability and innovation. Held at a joint meeting of golf course owners, superintendents, and course architects, the discussion, addressed the shifting political landscape and its implications for our industry.
We’re grateful for the steady leadership of Carmella Ruggiero of the Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association and Marc Connerly of the Golf Course Owners Association of Arizona, whose efforts in hosting key events continue to advance our shared commitment to actively engaging in the broader water policy discussion.
Local Wins: Defending and Elevating Golf at the Municipal Level
In May, the Phoenix City Council rejected a citizen petition that aimed to eliminate municipal golf from the city’s public offerings. Alongside our allied association members, the AAG mobilized quickly, providing councilmembers and city staff with comprehensive data highlighting the critical economic, recreational, and community value of municipal golf. This effort effectively contradicted the activist’s narrative to ensure the council had the full picture before making its decision.
Phoenix is just one of many Arizona communities where the AAG has actively defended the future of golf. Our advocacy extends across the state, including direct engagement with cities such as Tucson, Oro Valley, Tempe, Glendale, and Scottsdale, as well as unincorporated areas like Sun City and Naco.
Joe Shershenovich making his pitch before appointment to City of Scottsdale’s Tourism Development Commission.
In June, the AAG scored another strategic win: Arcis Golf’s Joe Shershenovich, General Manager of Grayhawk Golf Club and longtime industry advocate, was unanimously appointed to the City of Scottsdale’s Tourism Development Commission (see more here). This move ensures golf’s seat at the table during critical discussions about the city’s future in tourism, economic development, and sustainability.
Enthusiastically casting his vote, Councilmember Adam Kwasman said, “As the chair of the subcommittee of economic development, golf is at the forefront of our present, past and future, making sure it has the environmental focus, economic focus, and the cultural focus for this city.”
We extend our gratitude to AAG Board Member Rachel Sacco, CEO of Experience Scottsdale, and her exceptional team for their leadership and support in this process.
The AAG continues to advance golf’s standing in key civic and policy circles. Recently, Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky, hosted by Troon CEO Tim Schantz, visited Troon’s corporate headquarters for a substantive dialogue with the executive team. The meeting focused on golf’s broad impact—from driving tourism and job creation to shaping the unique lifestyle and brand of Scottsdale.
These local successes reflect the larger strategy: keep golf visible, valued, and actively represented where key decisions are being made to defend the game and promote its value to communities across Arizona.
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky meets with Troon and AAG leadership, (L-R) Kris Strauss, Katie Prendergast, Ruth Engle, Tim Schantz, Lisa Borowsky, Jay McGrath, Bri Kenny and Dave Nicholls.
State-Level Advocacy: Protecting the Industry and Growing Legislative Champions
During the most recent legislative session, the AAG successfully blocked problematic bills, ensuring misguided efforts impacting the industry never gained traction. These results reflect months of behind-the-scenes engagement and coalition-building at the capitol to protect golf’s interests.
Early this year, the AAG was invited to testify before the Senate Water, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee—a key audience deeply involved in shaping Arizona’s water future. Representing the industry, AAG Water Committee, Chairman Rob Collins, delivered compelling testimony that underscored golf’s commitment to conservation, innovation, and long-term water stewardship.
AAG’s Rob Collins testifies before the Senate Natural Resource Committee.
Building on that momentum, the AAG and Southwest Section PGA officially launched the Arizona Golf Caucus in February with the effective and influential Senator T.J. Shope as the chair of the effort. This bipartisan initiative is designed to grow the number of legislative champions who understand and support the industry’s value across tourism, recreation, economic development, and water policy.
Golf industry advocate Tommy McKone and Senator T.J. Shope address the Arizona Golf Caucus.
Thanks to collaborative efforts with Bernie Eaton, Tommy McKone, and Ben Baldwin of the Southwest Section PGA, the caucus continues to expand, with programming and outreach efforts now underway to further engage lawmakers and strengthen relationships at the state level.
By protecting the industry from legislative threats and proactively cultivating allies at the capitol, AAG is ensuring golf’s voice is heard where it matters most.
Federal Advocacy: Keeping Golf at the Table in Washington, D.C.
Congress recently passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1),” a sweeping package of tax reforms and economic policy changes with potential implications for the golf industry. Ronnie Miles, Senior Director of Advocacy for the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), outlined key points of interest for golf course owners and operators, ranging from tax incentives and infrastructure to business policy updates.
Arizona golf advocates stand at the foot of the Capital for National Golf Day, (L-R): Katie Prendergast, Jennifer Arnold, Catherine Carmignani, Rawleigh Grove, Dawn Grove and Don Rea.
Additionally, the AAG continues to ensure the industry is represented on Capitol Hill. In May, AAG members traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of National Golf Day, joining industry leaders from across the country to advocate for federal bills that directly affect golf’s future. A few include expanding golf course eligibility for disaster recovery programs and health and workforce legislation.
Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening the Industry Through Collaboration
Fostering strong partnerships with regional and national organizations is central to the AAG’s mission. Collaborating with other industry coalitions builds powerful, mutually beneficial networks that promote information-sharing, alignment on best practices, and a unified approach to industry challenges.
AAG President Gregg Tryhus recently joined Ronnie Miles, Senior Director of Advocacy for the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), as a guest on the NGCOA’s advocacy podcast. In the episode, Gregg shared the origin story of the AAG, emphasizing how the alliance successfully unified Arizona’s golf industry around a common cause and how that model could be replicated elsewhere (see podcast here).
As you can see from the above, the path forward requires unity, clarity, and action.
Please reach out with questions—or better yet, to get involved. Together, we can ensure a resilient, vibrant future for golf in Arizona.
